An important part of boxing training is the “shadow”, known as the “vide” in French. Shadow-boxing is fighting alone against an invisible adversary. This imaginary, invisible opponent, and the fight against him, are the focus of “Angle vide” for which I worked with professional boxers.
To what extent, and based on which imaginings and interests, can we create opponents and enemies? How do we appropriate them? The invisible enemy and opponent, the pervasive danger, could be anyone.
The camera records the progressive, physical transformation and exhaustion, the loss of emotional control and the concentration of the boxers.
These images are projected onto the screen in the middle of the exhibition room as video rear projections.
The imaginary opponent is also part of the content of the audio recordings. I asked the boxers how they entered into this “state” of imagining an opponent. How do they transform the situation into an authentic fight with an invisible opponent? How do they experience this situation of targeted aggression towards an “empty” target? These audio recordings are installed and played as surround sound, meaning that the voices move throughout the room.

With support from City of Bern Cultural Department and Canton of Bern Cultural Office.